Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Twisted Love

Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

220 reviews

just_one_more_paige's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Look, I knew what I wanted when I picked this book up. This is epic, soap opera, levels of drama. And I was *living* for it. I was thoroughly entertained. There was page-turning revenge and years-long cons and lies and (though it took longer than I had expected to get there, based on reviews/lists featuring this book) some very spicy scenes. It was so, deeply, unhealthy, as relationships go. And yet, like I said, I knew that going in and sometimes reading about an over-protective/possessive ass that I wouldn't touch with a 39.5-foot pole (grinch-style, you know?) IRL, is exactly the kind of escapist shit I want to read. So, in summary, this novel was unbelievably *stupid* good for my current reading mood. I shall be reading the next in the series post-haste.

Very small side note: not my fav third act breakup (like, honestly, I never like those - UGH least fav romance trope - so take this commentary with that grain of salt), but I *particularly* didn't like this one. Too much/long “time passing” to get back together - it just feels like, he should have caved sooner…but at least the friends/fam are holding the grudge still.

Content Warnings

karyzi's review against another edition

Go to review page

Content Warnings

kesbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.75

Ava Chen is the epitome of sunshine while Alex Volkov is the epitome of anything but. However, after her brother enlists the help of Alex to keep an eye on his sister while he’s away for a year, Ava finds broody yet gorgeous Alex as her new neighbor. The two of them are struggling with their own inner demons and dark pasts. Ava can’t remember any of her childhood after a traumatic event. Alex remembers everything about his life. As they start to get to know each other, the more the lines between best friend’s brother/brother’s best friend, blur.

This book is hard to rate. I didn’t hate it. It was an easy read, and I was never bored. Even though it was predictable, I found the mystery behind Alex and Ava’s parent's death interesting to read about.

I don’t see the chemistry between Alex and Ava. Alex is just awful. I normally don’t mind the “touch her and you die” trope. However, I found Alex’s possessiveness concerning. By the end of the book, I wanted Ava to move on and have her chapter with Alex be a lesson learned. The relationship kind of reminded me of the YA romances I read as a teen but with spice. To Ana Huang's credit, she does warn the reader that if you want a sweet hero, this book isn’t for you.

Overall, I can see the appeal, but I just wasn’t a huge fan. I still would like to read the next book since I’ve heard the first book is the weakest in the series. Plus, I loved Bridget so I think that one will be fun.

Content Warnings

mels_reading_log's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

He’s her brother’s best friend and he has been left in charge of her safety for the year while her brother is out of the country. She is sweet as sunshine and he is a grumpy ass. When these opposites attract, it gets super spicy and some deadly family secrets come to light.

Content Warnings

var_klar's review against another edition

Go to review page

I really wanted to give it a chance, but when it didn't get better after 100 pages, I stopped reading it. The relationship between Alex and Ava just seemed so toxic. Also, you could tell by the writing style that it was gathered towards a younger audience. I have nothing against cursewords, but Alex's thoughts were overflowing with them. Also, he talked about revenge and murder all the time and I read some ratings that said it's only becoming more toxic and weird as the story develops.

Content Warnings